The Good Life: Annie, Are You Okay? (ch. 9) (Patreon)

Annie felt like she was in a dream since she got the call. The Call. The one that completely changed her life. The Call that informed her that she was being welcomed into the Seven. Learning that she had been scouted by Vought had been eye-opening -- they knew about all of her busts and her history with beauty pageants. The woman she spoke to -- Ashley -- said that they were big fans of her work and they had been keeping an eye on her for some time.

The fact that they wanted her to replace Lamplighter was… humbling. Ashley revealed that Lamplighter was intending to go independent to scout out Heartless’ organization, so they had already been looking for a replacement. Annie broke down in tears when she told her that Lamplighter had chosen her as his replacement. It didn’t feel real. None of it felt real.

It felt like she was moving in a daze as she was flown to New York City, with entire teams of people doing her makeup, styling her hair, and making sure that her appearance was absolutely perfect. Her heart felt like it belonged to a hummingbird with how fast it was beating, and it was only now, as she gazed into the mirror in the dressing room that everything started to sink in. This was real. She was joining the Seven. Out of all of the heroes that they could have picked… Vought- Lamplighter chose her.

“You look beautiful, Annie. Or should I call you Starlight?” Annie’s mom, Donna January, said, materializing behind her, smiling at her and gently resting her hands on her shoulders. “I knew you could do it. I always knew it. You were my little God-given angel. We did it, Annie.” Donna whispered, kissing the top of Annie’s head. “You’re in the Seven. The Seven!”

“I think I’m going to cry,” Annie admitted, getting choked up at her appearance, realizing that a lifelong dream had come true. She would be joining the team of the greatest heroes on Earth. She would be fighting beside her idols. This moment, right now, everything in the world was absolutely perfect.

Her mom lightly swatted her shoulder, her expression suddenly serious. “Don’t, you’ll ruin your makeup!” She chided her with a familiar tone. “Cry after the show is done. Now, have you memorized all of the questions?” Her mom started going through her checklist, like it was another beauty pageant. She hated those. Right from the start. The constant practicing, the nights of pain from her feet and that corset her mom made her wear to make sure she ended up with an hourglass figure… Still, sitting here now, all of it was worth it.

“Got ‘em right here,” Annie replied, holding up the sheet of paper that had all the questions that she would be asked. It was pretty extensive, enough questions to cover an hour-long interview that she would be doing as her introduction to the Seven. From what she understood, all of the reporters were given the same questions to ask. Her answers, at least, weren’t typed out for her. Though, she did have talking points about things to promote and topics to play down.

It was pretty simple, really. Was she happy to join the Seven? Of course, she was. Did she think that the Seven was the greatest team in the world? Again, of course.

Was she afraid of Heartless? Hell no, and she was going to capture him.

“Speak clearly, Annie. We can’t have the world thinking you’re a country bumpkin,” her mom continued, sounding like she was more stressed than Annie was. She was used to it, even if it had been some time since she last saw it. It had been a long time since she participated in every single beauty pageant for preteens in America. Her mom would get stressed and start fussing over every little thing. "Just be…" she trailed off.

"Myself?" Annie tried, making her mom's face twist.

"No! No, be… confident. Be sexy. Try to act like that Supernova girl," her mom instructed, appearing torn between wanting to fix her hair and leaving it be out of fear of making it worse.

"Thanks, mom," Annie said, trying to take the words in the spirit they were given. Before she got the call, Annie was like many that fully expected Supernova to be put in the Seven. Supernova was incredible, not to mention she faced Heartless twice and survived. Her own accomplishments seemed so empty in comparison. Especially considering that Supernova had only been active for two months. Now that she was here, it almost felt like a mistake for her to be the one picked.

Her mom, at least, seemed to realize she had put her entire foot in her mouth but before she could say anything, one of the backstage helpers knocked at the door before opening it. "Starlight, you're on in five," she gave a warning, prompting Annie to get out of her chair. She took a bracing breath, sparing one final glance at her reflection and she put on a practiced smile to hide exactly how nervous she felt.

"I'll be right there," Annie agreed, resisting the urge to play with the hem of her cape.

"Good luck!" Her mom called out after her as Annie left the dressing room, and it was only as she left that Annie could hear the crowd. A crowd that was here to see her -- the newest member of the Seven. It took everything that she had to not run back into the dressing room. Call the whole thing off. It was just nerves. Prestage jitters. Annie knew from experience that the moments before you were on stage were often far worse than anything that happened on it.

She also heard Madelyn Stillwell speaking into a microphone, her words carrying through the press conference room. "- Tragedy, but Lamplighter understood the importance of the Seven and what they represent. I worked with him for more than ten years, and I can say with certainty that if he were here, he'd want his place filled as quickly as possible. So, it is with a heavy heart but with great pride that I am announcing the newest member of the Seven. A hero of means and one with a pure heart. A hero that was chosen to be his successor even before he was tragically taken from us."

Annie took in another calming breath, the backstage helped giving her a count down and a position to stand in. She fought the urge to pull at her cape again, listening to the speech that introduced her. Madelyn continued, "A brave hero that has chosen to stand against the dark shadow that has befallen this nation despite the dangers and the risks. A hero that has chosen to step up to the mantle that Lamplighter left behind. It is nothing less than an honor to introduce the newest member of the Seven… Starlight!"

That was her cue. Annie put on a practiced smile as the aid gestured her to walk forward, stepping out from behind the curtain. She was greeted with sounds of clapping and talking as she looked out at those that were in attendance. They were in Vought tower. A security measure, as were the security guards armed with assault rifles positioned at every exit and throughout the crowd. A stark reminder that Heartless was bold enough to strike at the very heart of Vought with all members of the Seven in attendance.

She had seen smaller crowds, but all of them were journalists and reporters. There seemed to be three cameras for every person though as she walked up to Madelyn, who stood behind a podium. They traded smiles as Annie approached -- she didn't really know Madelyn, but she seemed nice. And it couldn't be easy wearing high heels when she looked like she was about to topple over thanks to her belly. It made Annie want to hover near her to make sure that she didn't fall.

It was when she took her place behind the podium that everything clicked into place. This was real. She was in the Seven. And every single thought in her mind flew right out of her head as she stared out into the dozens of reporters, all representing important news agencies or magazines from across the world. Thankfully, the podium had a sheet of paper that had everything she was supposed to say. "It's an honor to be counted among the Seven -- the greatest heroes in the world -- and I'm humbled that out of all the capable heroes that he could have chosen, Lamplighter picked me to be his successor," Annie read off the sheet, finding the words a bit stiff.

Showmanship. It was more than reading lines -- it was making the audience believe she meant every word. "Mrs. Stilwell gave me quite the introduction, but let me introduce myself -- I'm Starlight and I'm here to protect you." She ad-libbed, smiling into the cameras and she saw the journalists ear it up. That was reassuring.

"Starlight! New York Times -- do you have any relation with Lamplighter?" A reporter started, standing up.

Despite the nerves, she had her answers practiced. "I wasn't aware of it, but I did know him. I worked with Lamplighter before, only he had been in deep cover at the time and I hadn't realized it. He was so good at what he did, I only found out when I got the call from Vought and I asked why they picked me of all people," Annie confessed. And that had been a humbling bit of information. She had searched her memory for who he could have been, but no memory stood out to her. He really was the best at working undercover. She hadn't even realized it.

Now that she was on stage, the jitters vanished, replaced with a sense of familiarity. She was just answering questions.

"Starlight! How do you feel joining the Seven after Heartless' most recent actions? Are you afraid he might target you?" Another reporter asked, bending the rules to a question that he was allowed to ask. Annie was told to expect that, but still, they weren't holding back on the hard balls.

Annie squared her shoulders, "How I feel? I feel furious," Annie stated, clenching her jaw. "Lamplighter was a hero. One of the greatest. Heartless not only murdered him, but he made a mockery of him at his memorial. I won't ever forgive him for that. I hope he does target me. It'll save me the trouble of hunting him down and throwing him in a cell, where he belongs!" That seemed to go over well with the reporters. She meant every word of it.

"Starlight! How do you respond to Heartless' accusations made at the memorial?" Another reporter asked.

This was an answer that had been typed out for her. "Blatantly false. Vought International would never do something like murder one of its own heroes. What Heartless is trying to do is undermine Vought's attempts to catch him because only a hero could hope to stop him."

"Starlight! How do you intend to prove your detractors wrong? There are many that say that other heroes are far more qualified to be a member of the Seven." Another reporter continued, not so much as bending the rules as outright breaking them. Madelyn narrowed her eyes at the reporter and clearly, someone was in trouble, but Annie had an answer prepared.

"I would agree with them," Annie admitted. "When I got the call, I was certain that they had the wrong number. I figured it had to be. I was certain it was going to be an incredible hero like- like Supernova that would join the Seven. But Lamplighter chose me. I'm not entirely sure why he did, but he saw something in me that convinced him to make me his successor. And I hope, with time, I can show the world what he saw," Annie stated and the glare on Madelyn's face melted away, becoming a broad smile.

"Starlight! Starlight-" The reports started, but Annie's attention was stolen away by the sound of water hitting the floor. Annie's attention snapped to Madelyn, who was looking down at the floor, her skirt damp, with a dumbfounded expression.

"Now? You're coming out now?" Madelyn blurted, naked disbelief in her voice and Annie abandoned all thought of the interview, rushing over to Madelyn and offering an arm that she gratefully took. Her water had broken. "No, you- do the interview-" Madelyn started, but Annie just laughed.

"I think he stole my thunder," Annie said, helping Madelyn off stage and Annie saw that everyone was panicking. "He's going to be a drama kid, I think. Certainly knows how to steal the spotlight." Madelyn seemed terribly embarrassed, but she was all smiles.

Little Theodore Stillwell had ruined her moment, but hours later, when Madelyn forwarded her a picture of the wrinkly and pink baby, Annie found that she didn't mind one bit.

…

The interview was botched, and given that Madelyn was in the middle of having a baby, it was left to another to give her a tour of Vought headquarters. And that person was none other than the Deep. Butterflies were in her stomach the moment that her eyes landed on him -- she had the biggest crush on him as a teenager. Honestly, for far longer than she should have, but just looking at him was enough to remind her why. The Deep was handsome -- his skin tanned, his hair stylized, with a five o'clock shadow. But what really drew her to him was his environmental activism. No one seemed to care about the environment more than him.

The Deep greeted her with an easy smile, one of his arms in a sling. An injury he sustained from Heartless. "Let me be the first to welcome you into the Seven, Starlight. It's going to be great working with you," he said, oozing charm and Annie stood a little straighter at being acknowledged by one of her heroes.

"I- Yeah! I- mean," Annie started, her tongue twisting itself into knots. Right. Calm down. "I look forward to working with you too, The Deep." She said, getting a hold over herself.

The Deep just smiled, "Please, just call me Deep." He had a kind smile. "Let me show you around. The others wanted to be here, but with Heartless running around… we have a team meeting tomorrow, so that'll be your official introduction to the rest of the Team." Deep started gesturing for her to follow him and she felt like a child that was being led through a candy store. Without having to worry about her diet and with fists full of cash.

Her gaze flickered to his shoulder. It has been a week since the memorial and since he took the grevious wound. "I understand… do we have any leads?" She asked, trying her best to appear professional while drinking everything in as the tour started. The first thing that he showed off was the gym. "And is A-Train alright?"

Deep scoffed, then he quickly glanced at her and schooled his expression. "A-Train is going to be fine. He heals pretty fast too. His ego, on the other hand… he's been getting memed on pretty hard," Deep remarked with an odd note in his voice. Like he was trying hard to not smile. To prove as much, he brought her attention to an employee that was on her computer, sitting on a bench with a cup of coffee and biscotti in hand. On her screen was the most recent meme.

It was the moment before disaster -- A-Train dropping the grenades at his feet, his expression smug and cocky with his hands out wide. It was framed with the text: Let's make a no-name join the Seven. What's the worst that could happen?

On the lower half of the picture was a picture of the destroyed theater. It was a popular format -- A-Train posing a question of 'what could go wrong' and the next picture would always show a disaster.

"Hey, don't pay the memers any mind," Deep offered, ushering her along. "A-Train does and he's taking it way too personally," Deep informed her as they left the gym. "Plus, it happens to everyone. Whenever a spot opens up in the Seven, everyone and their mother has an opinion on who should take the spot. And when their favorite hero doesn't make the cut, they just post about it online. I'd give it a week before it all clears up. Pretty sure management will be arranging something to get some achievements under your belt."

Arranging? "It's fine," Annie said, pretending that it didn't bother her. "I'm glad A-Train is okay. Are you?" She asked, glancing at his shoulder again. Online there were some that theorized that A-Train was going to lose his legs.

"Me? Oh, yeah. Supernova is something else, though," he muttered under his breath, making Annie's brow furrow.

"Well… was it really her fault?" Annie questioned, wanting to defend one of the heroes she looked up to as they entered the elevator. Supernova was incredible. But it sounded like Deep had some issue with her.

Deep glanced at her for a moment before leaning in, "The public doesn't know it but me and Supernova? We used to date," he told her in a low whisper, making Annie's jaw drop. SuperDeep was real?! "I broke it off -- that girl is… phew," he continued with a shake of his head. "So, people are blaming Heartless for this, but personally speaking? That was all Supernova. I don't really like shit-talking other heroes, but I'll level with you -- you don't want to deal with her at all."

That was… "Oh," Annie muttered, not really sure how to feel. It was weird to think that Supernova could be anything other than… well, Supernova. But Annie was forced to remind herself that there was always a person behind the name. She wasn't anywhere near Supernova's level, but she had plenty of experience with people claiming that she wasn't 'acting' like Starlight in the past. "Are you going to press charges?" She asked and Deep seemed panicked by the mere thought.

"Nah -- I'm leaving it as it is. Plus, with Heartless, we need every hero we can get, right?" He questioned and Annie felt her respect for him rise. That was… heroic. "As for Heartless himself… well, word is that we're linking up with the CIA," he told her as the elevator doors opened to a new floor. Instantly, Annie's gaze was drawn to the statue directly in front of the door. One of Homelander -- one fist pointed to the sky, looking up and carrying the American flag.

It took a second for what he said to register. "The CIA?" She questioned, following him through the halls, her gaze flickering between the paintings and the statues. Almost all of them were of Homelander, the leader of the Seven. She couldn't wait to actually meet him.

"And the FBI. Heartless is a big spook to them too. There's never been a criminal supe, you know? I mean, there have been some down-on-their-luck losers, but never outright criminals. And after the memorial, he's been placed at the top of the most wanted list. They're working with Vought analytics to hunt him down, so it's only a matter of time before we find him." That was extremely reassuring to hear.

"So, he tried to lie about Vought trying to make people feel unsafe and ended up creating the thing he was trying to stop?" Annie remarked, a laugh in her voice. It was something straight out of a comic book. Still, it did show how scared Heartless had the world. The police worked with heroes, but it was usually reserved for calling someone bulletproof in when bullets were flying. It sounded like Deep was talking about full cooperation which Annie never experienced before. Like most heroes, she did her own thing and presented the evidence to the police.

Deep chuckled, finding it funny. "It seems so. They'll call us in when they actually have something, but 'till then, were stuck on damage control. A lot of press releases, a lot of interviews."

Annie slowed a half step, glancing at another stature just before a set of bulkhead doors. A bronze statue of the Seven -- Homelander, Queen Maeve, The Deep, A-Train, Black Noir, Translucent… and lastly, Lamplighter. His face was half shrouded by his hood, but he stood tall with his staff in hand. Her attention was only ripped away by the sound of the bulkhead doors sliding open and Deep strode into a place that Annie has only ever seen in movies and comics. The Seven HQ.

"Woah," Annie breathed, stepping inside, barely aware of the doors closing behind her. The walls were lined with monitors and the ceiling -- on the ceiling was a mural. One equal to the one in the Sistine Chapel. At the heart of the room was a table with seven chairs that was in the shape of a large 7. "This is… this is incredible," Annie breathed, unable to stop herself from gushing. "This is like a dream come true. I never imagined I'd make it here-"

The words died in Annie's throat when she looked at Deep to see that he was smirking at her. His pants off and he was slowly stroking his dick.

"What the FUCK?!" Annie screamed, her jaw-dropping, every thought in her head vanishing and she could only look in absolute disgust and horror at Deep, who was still stroking himself. Her brain refused to process it. What in the actual hell was going on?! Everything was perfect. She was at the top of the world and now she suddenly felt the rug ripped out from underneath her, leaving her free-falling. "What the fuck? What are you doing?!"

"I'd try to ease into this a bit more normally, but I'll level with you. I haven't been able to jack it all week because of this shoulder, and well, you seemed to like me, so…"

"So you get your dick out?!" Annie thundered, unable to even look at the Deep. "I'm so out of here. I cannot believe you, what- ugh!" A noise of disgust ripped itself out of Annie's throat, fury flowing through her veins as she stomped towards the door.

"Do you want to be in the Seven?" Deep shouted the question as she was about to reach the bulkhead doors. "Because that can still change. I didn't want to say anything… but Vought isn't exactly happy with the reception you've gotten. And the interview botched a chance to put your best foot forward. A lot of people want Supernova or Mirko on the Seven… and if I mention that you're difficult to work with?" He questioned, trying to be casual with the threats but Annie felt a pit open in her stomach.

It felt like she got hit by a semi, knocking the wind out of her lungs. "I'm difficult to work with?" She echoed, her voice sounding distant to her own ears. "You- you-...!" Words failed her. They just wouldn't come.

"Or… you take your shirt off, get your tits out, and suck me off for, like… five minutes. Tops. Like I said, it's been a while for me. Five minutes of unpleasantness for all of your dreams coming true? Is that really such a bad deal?"

Tears burned in her eyes. She felt sick to her fucking stomach.

But she clenched her fists and stepped away from the door.

…

"Oh, what is Homelander like? Is he as handsome in real life as he is in the movies? Tell me all about it, sweetie," her mom's voice echoed through the phone speaker. Annie had started the call, but the moment that her mom picked up, it had been a solid five minutes of nothing but questions.

"I- I haven't seen him yet. Everyone is busy because of Heartless stuff," Annie's voice never sounded weaker. Feeble. She waited for her mom to say something. To notice it. To ask her what was wrong because everything was wrong. Annie just needed her to ask. To put a crack in the dam so she could unleash what she felt because what she felt was… was… just…

"Oh, Heartless. Don't you worry a thing about him. Leave him to Homelander. He's far too dangerous. My mahjong group met up yesterday and they were all so excited for you -- but, you know Patty was just going on and on about how being a hero was dangerous because of him. Like she knew what she was talking about. She just wanted to brag about her daughter going to med-school. Like being a doctor is heroic, or something. But everything else is great, right? Everything we dreamed?"

Her stomach clenched. Her throat was still raw from puking and that… piece of fucking shit… the urge rose up on her tongue, to tell the truth. To say exactly what happened to her on her first day of being a hero. "It's… yeah, mom. It's everything that we dreamed…" Annie trailed off, swallowing the truth even as she desperately wished for her mom to notice something was off. For maternal instinct to start ringing the warning bells.

"Oh, that is such a relief!" Her mom said, pure joy in her voice. If her maternal instincts were ringing that bell, then she wasn't listening.

"I actually have to go, mom. Really busy with hero stuff. Love you, bye," Annie said, ending the call before she could hear the words back. Her eyes burned with tears but she fought them back, even as a lip quivered.

Annie sat on a park bench in Central Square, looking out but not really seeing anything. Her costume was in her apartment -- she had a meeting that she needed to get to… but when she tried to put the costume on, she found herself dry heaving, and trembling. So, she threw on a tracksuit and went out to catch some fresh air. Well, about as fresh as you could hope to get in New York. She sucked in a short breath, feeling the dark ugly feeling in her chest welling up and about to spill over.

Then someone sat down next to her and Annie was forced to swallow it down. "I hope I'm not intruding," a familiar voice remarked, her tone smooth as silk. Annie looked over in surprise, her heart going still when her gaze met the golden amber eyes of Supernova. Her lips parted, Supernova offering a slight smile.

"You're Supernova," Annie said dumbly, stupified.

Supernova smiled, "And you're Starlight. Please, call me Cinder. I don't really bother with a secret identity."

"I'm- I'm Annie," Annie introduced herself, her voice carrying the slightest quiver that she couldn't swallow down.

"A pleasure, Annie. You seem upset," Cinder remarked, reaching out a hand and Annie only realized a tear managed to slip when Cinder brushed it away. She tried not to flinch at her touch, but Annie didn't quite manage it.

"No, I'm- I…" Annie trailed off, swallowing thickly. "It's nothing. Just some personal stuff," Annie offered in lieu of an excuse. She managed a feeble smile that Cinder returned.

"I understand. Actually, I think I have just the thing that might cheer you up," Cinder stated, and Annie very much doubted that as Cinder pulled out her phone. Still, even though she wanted no more than to curl up into a ball and fall through the floor, she waited for Cinder to pull up a video. One that she had to have prepared beforehand because it opened immediately. Cinder passed it to Annie, leaving her to press the play button. With a thin and fragile smile, Annie thumbed the play button.

She just about dropped the phone when she saw what the video was.

"Oh, you fucking dirty little slut. You think you can get into the Seven by sucking a dick like that?" Deep demanded, sitting in Homelander's chair at the head of the table, Annie's head in his lap as he held her head in place and thrust up with his hips, raping her throat. Her top was off, as was her cape, leaving her only in her skirt that was poised at the camera, revealing her panties.

Annie's blood turned into ice. The video was only a minute long -- Deep was a real minute man -- but Annie couldn't bring herself to so much as blink. Deep started huffing and puffing before he came down her throat and as soon as he was done, the video ended.

"Oh my, you don't seem pleased with your performance. You were rather lifeless there," Cinder admitted, taking the phone out of Annie's number hands. "You do have a great pair of tits, though. You shouldn't be so conservative with them, Annie." Cinder's voice continued in the same friendly tone she had used before.

"Why do you… have that?" Annie questioned, her stomach clenching as she bent over, feeling like she was about to vomit. A cold sweat broke out on the back of her neck, her heart beating like a drum.

"Blackmail, obviously," Cinder said with a chuckle, disappointed that even had to say as much. "I'm rather upset with you, at the moment, dear Annie. You stole my place in the Seven. I try to be understanding -- it wasn't really your choice to be picked by management. Still, you knew I was more qualified and you accepted the position anyway. That, I could have respected. That shows ambition. But to drop to your knees at the slightest of threats?" There was a bitter edge in Cinder's words. "Many on the internet were wondering who you slept with to take what was mine."

Annie was shaking her head. She wasn't just feeling sick -- she was going to be. Bile climbed up her throat, but she swallowed it down. Her chest rose and fell as she heaved deep breaths to calm herself down. "I- I didn't," Annie was shaking her head.

"I know. But that doesn't really matter, does it? There are no timestamps on the recording and I possess the only copy. It would be a simple thing to leak it online and everyone would think you sucked your way into the Seven. The fact I get to expose Deep's little cock is tempting enough for me to post it regardless," Cinder admitted and Annie went deathly still.

She wasn't a fighter, Annie realized, squeezing her eyes shut and the first tear of many escaped her. "What do you want, Cinder?" Annie questioned with a sob.

Cinder reached out, lifting Annie's chin so Annie was forced to look at her. Annie saw the same smile that Cinder used on the cover of magazines, and it never seemed so sinister before. "I want you to take that phone with you, Annie. There's a phone number on it. Every day, I want you to send a picture to that phone showing off your body -- those perky tits, and firm ass, and that tight little pussy of yours," Cinder stated, her smile growing as the blood drained from Annie's face. "Whenever you receive a message from that phone? You do whatever it says. Disobedience -- even the thought of it -- and the world will know that you sucked off Deep to get into the Seven. You will lose everything. Do you understand?"

This… this…

Another tear dripped from Annie's eye.

"I understand."